COMING UP! Operations Meet Up (4/9), Business and Bourbon (4/10), and Workforce/HR Meet Up (4/22)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.

DRMA is excited to unveil a new program on family business succession planning. The campaign will include articles in upcoming issues of News Bits and will culminate with a webinar on this topic to be held later this summer. We’ll post all resources and content on DRMA’s website for private viewing/watching. The first article in this series was written by Doug Meyer from Brixey & Meyer and tackles key questions to consider before selling your business.  

Are you responsible for your company’s manufacturing operation(s)? Attend our next Operations Meet Up to ask questions, get advice, and share experiences with fellow members on 4/9 at Dayton Phoenix Group. More information here.

You know that you can get a HUGE discount off your workers’ comp premium by being part of a group. Do you know that you have to pay dues to the organization that sponsors the group? And since you already pay dues to DRMA, why not get a quote for the DRMA workers’ comp group? Contact Shay who will connect you with Sedgwick, the administrator of our group. They will get you a no-obligation quote. 

Don’t miss these upcoming workshops, exclusively for DRMA member companies. Contact Shay for more information and to register.

• Supervisory Excellence - Unlock your employees’ leadership potential with practical insights that are vital for excelling in a supervisory role. $1,500 for 6 in-person sessions and a talent summit. Starts 4/25. More information here. 
• Lean Manufacturing - Participants learn how to implement lean concepts and techniques to make systematic, lasting improvements within their operations. Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $225 per session. More information here.
• Problem-Solving Skills - Participants will gain skills and knowledge to effectively solve problems by systematically identifying root causes and applying corrective actions (think “Six Sigma lite”). Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $1,100 for 5 in-person sessions. Starts 5/1. More information here.
• GD&T - Did you miss this workshop? Let Shay know if you’re interested so she can notify you when we schedule the next session!

Connect with potential customers looking for manufacturing suppliers by tapping into DRMA Business Leads Service. Learn more here. 

Manufacturers: Are you looking for entry-level manufacturing workers? We have a program where we recruit, screen, and train job seekers for these positions through our WorkAdvance Program. WE HAVE COMPLETERS READY FOR HIRE. Contact Susan today!

Looking to get more engaged with DRMA? Do you want to learn more about all that DRMA does and how your business can benefit? Attend the next DRMA 101 and get an overview on all things DRMA! Contact Shay to learn more and reserve your spot.

Have you moved, updated your company name or information, had staffing changes in the last year? If so, please contact Shay with a quick update so we can update our records.

Tap into the DRMA “brain trust” by joining the DRMA private LinkedIn Group, exclusively for people at DRMA member companies. The group provides an on-line venue to ask questions, learn from each other, and collaborate on a private platform dedicated to our members. Click here to request to join the group!

THANK YOU Joel Nordstrom of Nordstrom Films! Over the years, Joel served on our Member Services and Communications Committees, and as part of our Ambassador Club. In addition to producing our promotional videos, he currently serves on our Workforce Partnership committee and on our Associate Board. DRMA appreciates and thanks Joel for his commitment to our organization and to the Dayton Region manufacturing industry as a whole.

Member exclusive! WorkAdvance, a proven initiative to supplement your recruitment strategies, will bring you quality candidates to fill your manufacturing entry-level positions. Candidates are ready now to interview! Contact Susan to learn more.

Join us for the Workforce/HR Meet Up on 4/22, 11 - 12 p.m., virtual! At this meet up, Kathleen Davenport, with Bureau of Worker's Compensation will give an overview of available grants and programs that can help you improve your businesses processes! Register here.

Tired of not being able to find talent? Build your pipeline of future workers by hosting student tours. We’re doing MFG Day year-round. . . host tours on any day that works for you and your school partners! Learn more here. If you’ve recently hosted a tour, please let us know so we can promote your outreach to students! Email Amy today.

Hiring interns is a great way to grow your future workforce. Get started now by taking advantage of the Ohio High School Tech Internship program which provides up to 75% reimbursement for engineering technician, CNC operator, database management interns (among other roles). To learn more, contact SOCHE.

Help grow your future workforce by purchasing a sponsorship for student giveaways! We are preparing for our spring career outreach events, and we need your help. Your sponsorship of $500 will help us cover the costs of things like lanyards, stickers, dog tags, and wood gliders (all items that students love to get!) and will include your organization’s name. Contact Kara for more info.

Know a retired manufacturer or someone looking for evening work who has expertise in Electronics & Robotics, Automation & Controls Technology with Robotics, or Computer Aided Manufacturing who’d be interested in training future manufacturing workers? If so, Sinclair is looking for part-time instructors for their courses. Interested candidates can contact Amy Vandenabeele.

Senior Lab Manager needed at University of Dayton School of Engineering. It is critical that manufacturers support manufacturing training programs; without qualified instructors, schools will not be able to produce employees for you! Encourage recently retired manufacturer colleagues to teach the next generation of talent to apply here.

Supplement your recruiting strategy by attending the following career fairs and events:

• Hiring Fair at Greene County Career Center, 4/2. Contact rmack@greeneccc.com for details.
• Job Fair at Kettering Fairmont High School, 4/3. Register here.
• Mock Interview Day at Liberty High School (Dayton), 4/9. Contact sean.sims@libertyhigh.org for details.
• Lebanon High School Job Fair, 4/16. If you’re interested in attending, contact Bunny Brooks.

4/10, 5 - 7 p.m., Business and Bourbon, Moraine Country Club, Kettering. Presented by Lincoln Electric, this classy networking event benefits the DRMA Foundation. Event details here.

5/6, 4 - 6 p.m., Shoptalk: Celebrating Workforce Successes, United Grinding North America, Miamisburg. Join us in celebration of DRMA’s workforce initiatives! Networking and drinks will follow a short presentation and member awards. Elevate your support with a sponsorship – contact Susan for more information. Register here!

6/2, 12:30 - 7 p.m., DRMA Summer Golf Outing, Troy Country Club, Troy. Presented by Greenpoint Metals, the format is play your own ball with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds go to the DRMA Foundation and its efforts to develop and retain a skilled workforce for the region’s manufacturing industry. Registration is now open! More details and registration form here.



6/2, 5 - 7 p.m., Happy Hour, Troy Country Club, Troy. Hang out with your DRMA peers and congratulate the winners of the Summer Golf outing held earlier in the day. Register here.

Meet-Ups - FREE and for members only. Join the conversation!

• 4/9, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Manufacturing Operations, Dayton-Phoenix Group, Dayton. Register here.
• 4/22, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, virtual. Register here.
• 5/20, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Manufacturing Operations, Libra Industries, Dayton. Register here.

DRMA 101 - Whether you are a new member or a seasoned member, kickstart your membership ROI and learn what DRMA does to help you strengthen your business. Contact Shay to sign up!

• 4/23, 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Waibel Energy Solutions, Vandalia (lunch provided).

For more information on any of our events, visit our website.

Save the Date - Upcoming DRMA Events

6/26 Happy Hour - Dayton Barrel Works 

8/20 Economic Update - Sinclair Conference Center

9/29 Fall Golf Outing - Miami Valley Country Club

10/16 Trap Shoot - Wright Patt Rod and Golf Club

12/3 Annual Meeting - NCR Country Club

Community Events

• 4/16-18, Ohio Bureau of Worker's Compensation, 2025 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, Columbus. More information/registration here. 
• 6/17-18, Investment Casting Institute, Advanced Manufacturing for Investment Casting Symposium, Dayton. More information/registration here.

Registration is open for the Summer Golf Outing held at Troy Country Club on 6/2. This event is almost sold out, so please plan to submit registration quickly. This always-popular outing benefits the DRMA Foundation, which pays all our expenses related to growing the manufacturing worker pipeline. Have questions? Contact Susan.

DRMA is always working on addressing manufacturers’ workforce needs. If you are seeking more job-ready employee candidates, consider workers with industry-recognized credentials (IRCs). IRCs ensure that the credential holder has met the industry benchmark for their specific competency. Learn more here.

Attention Manufacturer members: Click here to see manufacturing-pertinent resumes I have received.

Congratulations to DRMA member WENCO Construction Company for their 2024 Butler Regional Outstanding Builder of the year award.

Welcome new DRMA members:

• Harmony Systems & Service, LLC
• Komline Custom Machining
• LubriSource, Inc.
• The Champion GSE Company